Notts County boss Neal Ardley discusses whether Ross Fitzsimons could re-join Chesterfield on loan

The 25-year-old joined the Spireites on loan until the end of the season in January but was recalled after just one week due to an injury to Magpies stopper Sam Slocombe, who is going to be out for between six and eight weeks.

In his pre-match press conference Chesterfield caretaker boss John Pemberton said he was hopeful of bringing Fitzsimons back to the Proact this week.

Ironically Fitzsimons started in goal for Notts against the Spireites on Saturday and saved a penalty from Scott Boden and made another excellent stop from David Buchanan.

"Ross came to see me on Thursday and we had a chat,” Ardley said on Saturday. “You have to earn the right to be in the team. I don't make promises to anybody and Ross has come in today and he performed well - a great penalty save - although it was not a very good penalty - and he has made one or two others.”

Ardley also said that he had no doubts that Fitzsimons would be professional in his performance against Chesterfield.

The County boss also revealed his former goalkeeper at AFC Wimbledon, Joe McDonnell, who is a free agent, is someone they are looking at.

When asked what the future holds for Fitzsimons, Ardley said: "I have no idea. As far as I am concerned we turn up Monday and we go to work.

“We are looking as a board and staff as to whether in the run in that is a position that we need to strengthen. When I say strengthen I mean to bring someone in and have competition and we will make that decision. There might be something coming up next week we don't know.

"If Ross wants to be here and fight for the jersey then great but if he doesn't then we will make a decision based on that.”

On the game itself he added: "We felt hard done by at the one earlier in the season at their place so it is good to put that right.”